My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone,

cake is so pretty,

knife and a paper plate, preparing to

pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all

which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately

the ‘Happy Birthday’

Rachel must close her

must blow out

indicate to Julian that there

still lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,”

found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her with

wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the

say thank you!” their parents instructed,

faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community

smiled for the first

Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to

well pretend it never existed for

topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to

and headed

was inside her apartment and about to close

the door was propped

her head up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like

out on

slid sideways into the house and shut the door before surveying the

see you’ve been getting along

steps back.

stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw

“I suppose you wouldn’t want me

he approached her, forcing her back

idea what she

staggered after him and was dragged all